Last trip to Disney for a long while...which resort should we stay at?

[lmhall2000]

Our children are 9, 6 & 5...we will be travelling in January. We've stayed at OKW, AKL, and Poly...we want this to be one to remember but can't decide. We are wanting Deluxe...much will depend on availability but can anyone who's been to the other Deluxes (BWI, YC, BC, GF, CR) and who has children around my age let me know which you would pick out of ALL the Deluxes for a last hurrah?
Our next years will be spent at the beach every other year and travelling abroad (hence, we won't have the funds to do Disney)..we homeschool and plan on spending every other year on a history vacation or mission trip (castles, Roman life, Greece, building homes in South America, etc.)...the off years will be cheap beach rentals. The kids have loved Disney and we want this to be a great last trip.
Thanks!
Tara

 

[Ilovestitch]

If this will be your last trip than go all out- how about the Contemporary tower w/a view of the castle? With the ages of your kids, I would probably stay at a monorail resort.

I was going to first suggest the Beach Club, but since you'll be there in Jan., I'm not sure if you would be able to use SAB much. -Steph

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Going all out? GF! orrrr has I always recommend to everyone the Boardwalk Inn

you just can't go wrong with the Boardwalk!

 

[swilphil]

I would probably pick BC/YC or the Boardwalk. Stormalong Bay at BC is great and I've heard great things about Boardwalk concierage. The kids will enjoy the boardwalk activities and you can make frequent trips back and forth from Epcot, MGM and your resort pool.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Off season, I think the EPCOT area would be the nicest since the other parks close early. Stormalong Bay would be nice for the kids, but the Boardwalk has a cute pool too. MGM, the Boardwalk and Epcot, are all right there.

It looks like you've stayed in the MK area, the AK area, and the Bonnet Creek area. Might be fun to try the Epcot area.

On the OTHER hand, your kids are still little and even though it closes early, might like the MK area again. In that case, I'd pick the Contemporary tower. I like the lagoon view, and the Electrical Water Pageant that floats by each night, but I had boys. Girls might like the MK view. I've never stayed at the GF, so I can't compare the two.

 

[3for Me]

I would suggest the contemporary as well. Normally, this would not necessarily be my first choice, but considering the ages of your children and the fact that nothing quite says Disney like the Contemporary. I know that some will say lack of themeing - but there is so much hustle and bustle and Chef Mickey's and the water sports options, etc...

Although I LOVE the Epcot resort area hotels, the Contemporary would be my first choice in this particular situation for all the above mentioned reasons.

By the way, I LOVE your idea of bringing the children on a "living history" tour every year. That sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime!

 

[TWOOD]

I vote for the BC - SAB can't be beat & the hot tubs are fabulous. The BW has lots of great kid things, like face painting, hair braiding, surrey bikes, carnival games & the fun entertainers to watch for when the parks close early & you want something to do. Beaches & Cream is one of my DD's favorite restaurants, especially sitting up at the counter. Plus, there's a character breakfast with some decent choices @ Cape May Cafe. The rooms are nice & bright, and plenty big enough for 5. Make sure to request a full balcony on the lake side - there are plenty of standard views on that side. The location to Epcot & MGM is awesome & making masks in the World Showcase would be a neat way to get those cool "learning vacations abroad" going!

 

[PartyofSix]

Hey Tara. We just got back last night from WL and loved it. Well i loved it Dub thought it was'nt all that. And really he's right as far as value for what you get and definelty not the standard of room we are use to. It was smaller than any room we've ever stayed in. We decided to do Bonnett Creek by fairfield when we bring the kids back but we'll do onsite in Jan when we go back for the marthon. So i'm interested to see what you pick for your family. We want to stay at a monorail resort or something close to epcot so it looks like we are looking at the same resorts. I'm thinking the compemtorary or either beach club. We like the idea of walking to epcot. Keep me posted.

 

[ducklite]

If you do'nt want to go back to the AKL or polynesian, I'd choose the BC over all the others. It's very chid friendly and the pool is wonderful.

Anne

 

[gwilliams]

We just got back from the Beach Club last night. Our kids are 6 and 3, and we were with another family whose kids are 6 and 4. Beach Club was great -- everything everyone says about the pool is right -- my kids totally loved it. It was nice to be so close to Epcot, but I have to say we didn't get that much out of it, as my kids definitely weren't as interested in Epcot as the other parks. The one thing I give the Beach Club big thumbs up on was the size of the room -- we got two adjoining rooms for our family (I can't stand sleeping in the same room as the kids!), and the space was huge -- two queen beds in each room, plus enough room to move around in. But, while there was nothing bad about the Beach Club, I'd have to say it didn't feel very "Disney." To me, the theme was nothing very special. I kind of wish we'd done the Polynesian instead; I've never stayed there, but being on the monorail just seems so much more DIsney than taking a bus to get everywhere.

 

[B3LM]

I love BC/YC, but with going in January, I don't know that I'd stay there because you may not end up using the pool much. With the ages of your children, I'd probably recommend one of the Magic Kingdom Resorts. Loved Contemporary Tower!

 

[sfbank]

Another vote for the Boardwalk here. We stayed there in Aug of 02 and going back for deluxe concierge Dec 05. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge this June and while I liked it, I was homesick for the Boardwalk. The atmosphere with a Boardwalk view was AWESOME. Good luck in making you decision!